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The Smiler - General Discussion

That’s a shame, as I do think it might look nice if they did it like that. Still, I’m sure they still do a really nice job regardless!
They don't to make an impression with th a ride in its first couple of years, then just don't bother, cough cough wicker man. I was disappointed that there was no lighting package whatsoever on wicker man this year, looks very underwhelming
 
I was just watching this promo video of Smiler from 2013:

And it made me wonder; do they light it up like this at Scarefest, out of interest? If they do, I bet it’s an amazing night ride!


I wish they did, but there is no additional lighting package at all from what I can see for the smiler, most the lighting in x sector is from the marmaliser screen and a few blue/white floods. I wish they took it to another level like lost gravity at walibi Holland! That’s almost a rave :D
 
All the fancy photos of the Smiler lit up were never seen by the public, it was all done for promo shots. It’s only ever been lit up by the marmaliser and queue line screens (were seemed to be off on all my Scarefest visits this year) and then the past few years they have put one generator at the top shining down on the ride.

As for Galactica those lights in the tunnel have been there for years, sometimes blue, sometimes red or sometimes just on multi colour change effect
 
All the fancy photos of the Smiler lit up were never seen by the public, it was all done for promo shots.
Not seen in person by the public but one of the pictures was turned into the official mounted prints of The Smiler - I have it hanging on my wall.

As for Galactica those lights in the tunnel have been there for years, sometimes blue, sometimes red or sometimes just on multi colour change effect
I still maintain they should hang some black "starfield" curtains on either side of the tunnel with tiny LEDs twinkling. But that's for another thread!
 
It's a shame Alton towers didn't work on the theme of the smiler like they could've done. It has the potential to be one of the creepiest and sinister themes on a coaster I've seen. I feel like the music, despite having some good parts, let's the sinister feel to the ride down, as the laughing just seems more happy than dark. At the same time though I'm glad they didn't work on the theme, as the whole backstory is just messed up
 
Long time fan, 1st time poster!
One thing that disappoints me about The Smiler is the usual Alton Towers curse of leaving things to rot over time.
3 things
1.Get it cleaned up. Fully, seriously those concrete walls are practically green.
2. Fix everything that’s broke, all the screens are getting dead pixels, marmaliser half works half doesn’t and projection room is more hit than miss
3rd, audio. I remember queueing up next to the towers in 2013 in the extended, extended queue line and the ground was shaking with how loud the audio was. Now you can hardly hear it unless your in the queue.

And here’s me thinking I’d be largely positive on this forum
 
I'm guessing the volume is turned down due to Covid restrictions. They don't want people shouting or talking loudly to each other. Agree completely though about the general lack of care.
 
The fact they allow the Smiler to look as run down as they do really astonishes me considering its history.

You would think of any ride they would want to keep Smiler looking well maintained and fresh to avoid any negative comments/coverage/assumptions if nothing else.
 
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